Zeta Gundam Volme 4

My rewatch of Zeta Gundam has so far improved my opinion of the first three volumes tremendously.  On the other hand, Volume 4 was only barely more enjoyable than it was the first time around. Back then, I had so much trouble getting through these episodes that I put the show on ice for a few weeks. 

I'm not comfortable enough as an anime fan to label a block of episodes as "filler", but that is exactly what this volume feels like.  Right off the bat, Quattro returns to outer space, meaning the show has used the "leave a couple of AEUG members behind on Earth, but don't worry, they'll get their chance later" twist twice within the span of just a few episodes.

On a similar note, the show abandons Titan officer Rosamia out of nowhere, replacing her with another pilot, Four Murasame. Four, like Rosamia, is a teenage girl and a Cyber Newtype, charged with piloting an experimental mobile suit, the Psycho Gundam.  In all fairness, both women are different characters who serve different purposes in driving along the story, but at first glance they're both characterized as both emotionally unstable and cocky (dareisay bratty) during battle.  Simply put, when Volume 4 starts off, it gives you the impression that it has no real aim or purpose, as it insists on using the same plot devices all over again. 

Supporting this feeling of aimlessness is the setting for Volume 4.  The Karaba resistance group stops and parks in New Hong Kong City for supplies.  It ends up staying there until it is kicked out at the end of the Volume (I should also note that the supplies are provided by a local businesswoman who Kamille describes as "a female Wong Lee" due to her behavior.  I agree with him on that, and it could be argued to be another bit of conceptual recycling).  This downtime leaves the cast with little to do, so we end up with a lot of scenes in which Amuro's new squeeze Beltochika pesters both him and Kamille, all of which leave her looking bitchy and immature.  It is hard to look forward to future episodes when you know such a poorly evolving character will be getting the spotlight throughout the disc.

On the other hand, Four Murasame becomes much more favorable over the course of the five episodes.  While she demonstrates the disrespect for authority typical of teenagers, her past is sympathetic enough, and her interactions with Kamille are fundamental in helping him grow up into a more mature, responsible character.  Unfortunately, while these scenes moments are good for character development, they can be painful to watch.  Gundam dialogue aspires to be serviceable at best, so all the slow, conversation heavy moments in this Volume play out awkwardly.  You walk away understanding the intent, but you never feel engaged in it.

Despite the generally slow feeling of the Volume, there are still battles to be seen, most of which fail to reach their potential.  The Psycho Gundam in particular causes a ton of damage to New Hong Kong, but the show never depicts the true toll it has on the citizens of the city.  After the Psycho Gundam obliterates a whole section of town, the following episode shows the cast gallivanting around the harbor as if a major loss of property or lives never occurred not that long ago.  I also noticed that the Earth based Titans forces are crawling with nameless pilots.  You don't really care about a fight when the enemy is depicted as nothing more than a mobile suit.

I feel like Volume 4 is important to the overall story of Zeta Gundam, but damn if I don't find it hard to get through.